keep trying or move on?

[sehrmoon]

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As another application cycle rolls by, I sit here and apply again praying to God that I get in this cycle. I have a 3.6 GPA, AA 19, TS 20, RC 17, PAT 15 and still did not get in last cycle. Third time applicant and now considering that I should just give up. I am turning 24 next year and it seems that all my peers from university are working or have a career going for them. I do not understand why I dont get in. When I called Dental schools, they always say everything looks fine, even your DAT is acceptable but at the end its nothing! I have been on three waitlists this year and didnt get in...can you believe it? I am taking upper year bio courses and I just cant figure out what I can do now to get in.. it sickens me to my stomach that I have taken the DAT six times and these are my best scores. I get realllly anxious when it comes to the DAT.
I am considering alternate careers like DO, optometry, vet or even chiropractic school. However, when I think of anything other than DDS or DMD, it just depresses me. All my life, I worked and planned for dentistry and when do you know when to stop chasing after something thats not realistic? This is so depressing and honestly I think that I should just give up already. This cycle, I havent told anyone that I applied to DS because I dont want to disappoint anyone. I have applied to BU, Temple, Tufts, Nova, I am not going to add anymore schools because it seems that they just through my application down the drain.
Lets hope third time is a charm. I want to get in first round by winter break so I dont start podiatry school in january. Folks, please pray for me.
God bless.

 

[War Eagle]

As another application cycle rolls by, I sit here and apply again praying to God that I get in this cycle. I have a 3.6 GPA, AA 19, TS 20, RC 17, PAT 15 and still did not get in last cycle. Third time applicant and now considering that I should just give up. I am turning 24 next year and it seems that all my peers from university are working or have a career going for them. I do not understand why I dont get in. When I called Dental schools, they always say everything looks fine, even your DAT is acceptable but at the end its nothing! I have been on three waitlists this year and didnt get in...can you believe it? I am taking upper year bio courses and I just cant figure out what I can do now to get in.. it sickens me to my stomach that I have taken the DAT six times and these are my best scores. I get realllly anxious when it comes to the DAT.
I am considering alternate careers like DO, optometry, vet or even chiropractic school. However, when I think of anything other than DDS or DMD, it just depresses me. All my life, I worked and planned for dentistry and when do you know when to stop chasing after something thats not realistic? This is so depressing and honestly I think that I should just give up already. This cycle, I havent told anyone that I applied to DS because I dont want to disappoint anyone. I have applied to BU, Temple, Tufts, Nova, I am not going to add anymore schools because it seems that they just through my application down the drain.
Lets hope third time is a charm. I want to get in first round by winter break so I dont start podiatry school in january. Folks, please pray for me.
God bless.

How were you able to take the DAT 6 times? I was under the impression that 3 was the max and that ocassionally you can petition for a 4th try. Did you take it three times, wait a few years, and then take it 3 times again?

 

[Bruinlove]

How were you able to take the DAT 6 times? I was under the impression that 3 was the max and that ocassionally you can petition for a 4th try. Did you take it three times, wait a few years, and then take it 3 times again?

The rule was established last year or a year before. He/she probably took them before.

OP, you may wanna apply to a few more schools like USC and NYU. The fact that you've been on several waitlists means that schools kinda liked your app, but weren't too impressed with your personality or interview skill. Improve your interview, then you will probably get in.

 

[drpsuedonym]

Your stats seem fine except for the PAT which might be the problem because it might be lower than the cutoffs that some schools have. You should probably take a look at the ADEA guide and look for schools whose average stats are lower than yours and make sure you add those schools.

And you might want to double check that you have a good personal statement by letting a couple people look it over. Do you have good letters of rec and dental experience? Are there any glaring omissions on your application?

If everything else seems fine, I would think your best bet would be to write a letter that you send to the schools that you're applying to and talk about what you've done each year to improve your application and why you should be considered (basically a second personal statement), but make sure you get people you trust to look it over and make sure it sends the right message and is well-written.

Good luck!

 

[TeamGuo]

dang.. 6 times... god bless you

 

[blackfriesian]

Do you have a state school to apply to? You could consider trying to establish residency in a state that does have one.

 

[excusezmoi]

Don't worry you got another person praying for you. Me. (Pray for me as well) I was a junior when I started applying to dental school. My plan was to graduate university and go straight to dental school. The dental application process was a yo-yo cycle for me. I get excited when I hear from schools. Checking my email, snail mail, voice-mail and hoping I get some good news. The past years while waiting for dental school answers I felt like I can not be in control of my life until I actually step in to dental school and graduate dentistry. I actually feel every cycle that my life is controlled by dental admissions. I always have to recalculate my next four years in my agenda lol. That's why I do know how you feel when you ask "keep trying or move on". I'm actually older than you and married. I plan to have kids after I finish dental school. And when is that? Lol. I don't know.

Besides those rejection letters, Dentistry in my family is a totally unique career. They just want me to get a BS. and work a simple job. I know I've always been different in my family. I've always wanted something thrilling. (Lol so much thrill I end up in LIMBO mode in dentistry)

And Yes. I did a variety of things to make my application great. I have a large amount of dental experience, worked with atleast 5 dentists of different specialties. Also having a father-in-law who's a dentist makes a huge difference (like learning from him n' hanging out at his office). Tons of community service, Upper division classes, Ec's, research etc. One flaw though DAT. Oh well...at the end since they don't know us very well, they'd see through numbers.

Right now, I just let my application flow. If I get accepted I'd probably the happiest person alive. If not, I know I have done my best for the past years and invested a wonderful time experiencing the process of applying to dentistry. Maybe reapply while also considering other options (like working I cant just apply forever you know)

I just hope and pray that atleast one school will see through our rare talent and sincere intentions of becoming a dentist.


P.S. To answer your question you can do both keep trying while moving on. I actually applied to 20+ schools since it's my third time, maybe more schools would help you too.

Anyway I wish you the best!

 

[mx41]

Don't worry you got another person praying for you. Me. (Pray for me as well) I was a junior when I started applying to dental school. My plan was to graduate university and go straight to dental school. The dental application process was a yo-yo cycle for me. I get excited when I hear from schools. Checking my email, snail mail, voice-mail and hoping I get some good news. The past years while waiting for dental school answers I felt like I can not be in control of my life until I actually step in to dental school and graduate dentistry. I actually feel every cycle that my life is controlled by dental admissions. I always have to recalculate my next four years in my agenda lol. That's why I do know how you feel when you ask "keep trying or move on". I'm actually older than you and married. I plan to have kids after I finish dental school. And when is that? Lol. I don't know.

Besides those rejection letters, Dentistry in my family is a totally unique career. They just want me to get a BS. and work a simple job. I know I've always been different in my family. I've always wanted something thrilling. (Lol so much thrill I end up in LIMBO mode in dentistry)

And Yes. I did a variety of things to make my application great. I have a large amount of dental experience, worked with atleast 5 dentists of different specialties. Also having a father-in-law who's a dentist makes a huge difference (like learning from him n' hanging out at his office). Tons of community service, Upper division classes, Ec's, research etc. One flaw though DAT. Oh well...at the end since they don't know us very well, they'd see through numbers.

Right now, I just let my application flow. If I get accepted I'd probably the happiest person alive. If not, I know I have done my best for the past years and invested a wonderful time experiencing the process of applying to dentistry. Maybe reapply while also considering other options (like working I cant just apply forever you know)

I just hope and pray that atleast one school will see through our rare talent and sincere intentions of becoming a dentist.


P.S. To answer your question you can do both keep trying while moving on. I actually applied to 20+ schools since it's my third time, maybe more schools would help you too.

Anyway I wish you the best!

You have a great GPA / ECs.. I wonder why you didnt get in the first couple times.. What are your DAT scores and how many times did you take it?

 

[KOM]

You raise that PAT by 3 points and you're in. Plain and simple.